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Pre-Wedding Shoot – Louise & Osmaan by Bence & Kedochim

Remember Louise & Osmaan from their Cwtch of the Week last week? Well they’re back with they’re engagement shoot (shot by Bence & Kedochim) and their epic proposal story! :) We’ll leave them to tell it to you…

Louise’s story

It all happened on Saturday 13 October, a week before my birthday. I went to get my hair done around 12ish and had planned for one of my lovely Welsh-mates-living-in-London to come over to my flat (near the Tate Modern) at around 3pm. She is known as “Sophie Lovely” (this will make sense in the photos!). I got home early from the salon, around 14:30 to find a note on the door saying “Little one, your plans for the rest of the day have changed”. I immediately felt excited and nervous and the thought “is this it? Is it actually happening?” did cross my mind. But I shoved it away, reminding myself that my birthday was a week away and this must be an elaborate birthday surprise.

What followed was an exciting little “treasure hunt” involving me running around the flat like a mad woman, following little notes and instructions, finding the right dress (luckily, I had recently bought a pretty dress that I hadn’t yet worn), and packing an overnight bag. I didn’t have time to think too much other than “I am going to want to remember all of this, whatever happens at the end” so I started taking photos. I then started tweeting them and the replies I got were so funny and heartwarming. SO many people were excited for me and desperate to know what was happening!

I tottered down my street in search of a cab and finally pulled one over on Southwark Street. I gave the cabby his note, which I saw included a generous tip, and he took me to my destination…En route, I had sweets and nuts to keep me going and my now-fiancé had put together a photo album of all the pics we had had together over the previous two years and 3 months. It was lovely. Before long, we pulled up outside The Savoy. Having lived in London for almost ten years, I had always loved this hotel. It is the epitome of glamour and the most famous London hotel with the first cocktail bar. I love it and had mentioned to Os before that I would love to stay there one day.

The doorman asked if I was staying there but I had to say “I have no idea!”. The cabby told him “You have to take ‘er to the concierge, mate!”, then said to me “Fair play, love, your fella is a legend”. I think he was quite excited about his undercover role. Within the hotel, the concierge took my bag and walked me to the room. I have never received such a nice welcome in a hotel before. She chatted the whole way although I was a bit dazed at that point.

We stopped in front of the Maria Callas suite, one of only five suites in the hotel. Os opened the door and the place was enormous, about as big as our flat! It had incredible views over the river, London Eye, the Houses of Parliament… Os showed me the bedroom and sat me in an armchair by the window, got down on one knee and proposed! I was just utterly shocked and kept repeating “oh my god, oh my god, oh my god”. Somewhere in between I managed to say “yes”! The ring was perfect and everything I had ever wanted. What was most touching was that, two days before, Os had travelled to Wales to ask my parents’ permission. And I had had absolutely no idea!

Os had brought my favourite champagne – Veuve Cliquot – which was chilling on ice and we celebrated. That night, we wandered over to Polpo, one of our favourite restaurants, had a lovely dinner, then made use of The Savoy’s American Bar for some excellently-made cocktails.

The next morning, we had breakfast in our room overlooking the river. It was just perfect although we were a bit sad we had to leave! But we had a lovely walk along the river on the Southbank back to our flat and basked in the sunshine and our happiness. I honestly couldn’t have planned or wished for a better proposal myself.

Osmaan’s story

Planning took a fair while. Luckily I’d just taken a sabbatical from work to study music, so I had a bit of time on my hands. I’d always wanted to do something special in London – where we live – so that we can be reminded of it more often. I had considered a nice restaurant, but that would be over too quickly and wouldn’t be private. A hotel would be better and less rushed. I knew Louise liked the Savoy, so I went there to scout it out and eventually booked a room. But how to get her there with overnight bags to the room without giving it away? Then I thought that a ‘treasure hunt’-style plan would be great as she would do it alone, with the anticipation and excitement building to make the moment more special.

In the meantime I had been up and down the country finding the right stone and having it made into a ring. When it was all ready and the hotel was booked I made a day trip to Wales to go and see Louise’s parents to ask for their blessing. They really appreciated the effort which made it all worthwhile. I hadn’t told another soul.

So, fast forward to THE DAY. Louise went out for her hair appointment, which I knew was perfect as she’d come back feeling and looking great. As soon as she left I put the notes that I’d written the previous day in a treasure hunt round the flat, grabbed my things and headed to the Savoy. The concierge took me to my room – which was nice enough – and on the way we discussed what I was about to do. Ten minutes later I had a call from him saying he had something special for me – and took me up to the amazing suite which was ours for the rest of the weekend. I couldn’t have asked for anything more perfect.

I had at least an hour to wait – but it felt like a day. Eventually I received a text from Louise “Eeek, this is exciting!” and knew she must be in the taxi. Ten minutes later I got a call from the concierge saying she’d be up in two minutes and “good luck”. I opened the door and she was there, looking beautiful as ever. I thought I should propose straight away as it was the most exciting way to do it and I thought Louise must know what was coming anyway. So I sat her down in a chair I had moved to the window overlooking the Thames, got down on one knee and the rest is history.

What was fantastic is that this happened at around 3pm. We then had the rest of the afternoon, evening, night and next day to enjoy the hotel and really bask in the moment.

Isn’t that the most fabulous proposal?! Louise and Osmaan are getting married in Glanusk in July and if the wedding is anything like the proposal then it’ll be something very special indeed :)

The Pre-Wedding Shoot

Louise and Osmaan have booked London duo Bence & Kedochim to document their day, and had a sweet little shoot in St James Park to get warmed up!

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Welcome to Cwtch the Bride! Run by Maria Farrelly with help from some beautiful brides (past, present & future!) and local suppliers - Cwtch the Bride aims to be the definitive wedding blog for all things Welsh.